Posted June 20, 2014
Agriculture Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environmental Robert Bonnie maintained conservation practices under the interpretative rules are still voluntary during a House Agriculture Subcommittee hearing of the Clean Water Act, according to a Hoosier Ag Today article available here. Agri-Pulse also published an article available hereand Prairie Star here. A recent blog post on the Clean Water Act is available here.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that the interpretive rule is to clarify the applicability of 56 exemptions from the permitting process provided under section 404 of the CWA to “discharges of dredged or fill material associated with certain agricultural practices,” according to Agri-Pulse.
Frank Lucas, House Agriculture Committee Chairman, has expressed views against the EPA proposal and exemptions.
“If EPA succeeds in doing by rule what Congress will never give them authority to do by law, basically they will control every drop of water from the ocean all the way back to the parking lot of your business, the rain coming off your barn, the drop coming off the brim of your hat,” he said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), EPA, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signed a memorandum of understanding between the agencies defining how the three agencies would coordinate implanting the interpretive rule, according to the Prairie Star.
“This hearing gives us the opportunity to discuss the issue of clean water and the impact of agricultural conservation programs on rural communities,” said Ranking Member Timothy J. Walz (D-MN-01). “As we move forward, we need more clarity and we need our farmers and sportsmen to speak up and speak out to ensure Congress strikes the right balance.”
For more information on the Clean Water Act, please visit the National Agricultural Law Center’s website here.
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